Behind the curtain: How LA's working magicians hone their tricks in private 'magic jams'
LOS ANGELES — Call them the wonder boys. They're in the business of manufacturing the effect.
Derek McKee, Franco Pascali and Zach Davidson may look like clean-cut 20-somethings kicking back in an Arts District loft on a Friday night. They're decked out in designer leisurewear, swig coffee and pass a nicotine vape between them, and the reminiscences and laughter come quick and repeatedly.
"Dude, we have so many good memories!" Davidson says, slamming his hand onto the marble dining table they're gathered around.
Except the vast tabletop is scattered with about 17 decks of playing cards — some of them unused and still plastic-wrapped, others well-worn — and as they talk, each nonchalantly wields an open deck in his hand, manipulating the cards into extravagant, almost sculptural arrangements.
Davidson, McKee and Pascali are highly trained working magicians, and the moves they're performing are called "cardistry," a visually dynamic, kinetic art form that's part juggling and part "card flourishing," the latter referring
